Gadgets

5 Exciting Innovations That Will Change Computing in 2012

5 Exciting Innovations That Will Change Computing in 2012

1. Eye Control

It may seem the stuff of sci-fi fantasy, but controlling your computer with your eyes is a practical reality in 2012. One system, Tobii's "Gaze Interaction," lets users navigate, scroll, zoom and select using just their eyes.

Tobi's OEM components could see laptops, peripherals and game consoles with built-in eye tracking technology as part of the user interface. You could gaze directly at an icon to open an app, browse files with your eyes, and stare at an item to zoom in on it.

This tech also has the potential to make interfaces more adaptive. By just looking at a widget or icon, the item could become responsive and change or update the information displayed.

2. Gesture Control

Game consoles have educated consumers to the entertainment potential that gesture control offers, but such tech is also heading to your traditional PC.

While Microsoft has launched Kinect for Windows and other computer manufacturers are experimenting with gesture recognition, startup XTR3D now offers an exciting cross-platform gesture control system.

What's particularly interesting about XTR3D's solution is that it can work with any ordinary 2D camera (such as a webcam or forwarding-facing camera), so it could easily be deployed on existing laptops and tablets.

The solution can read hand gestures up to 17 feet away, so you could open a file on your laptop by unclenching your fist, or swipe through your music library with a flick of your wrist from across the room.

3. Advanced Touchscreen Control

While touch is undoubtedly an intuitive input method, touchscreens currently don't offer the same kind of easily accessed advanced controls and menu options that more traditional computers do.

As mainstream computing moves over to touch, one device that could help the transition with the multiple inputs that we're used to (such as the right mouse button or shortcut keys) is the "Ringbow."

This finger-worn tool adds extra layers of functionality to touchscreen computing. It can be used to wirelessly click or right-click, open non-visible elements, such as menus, or be programmed to replicate the actions of any traditional input keys.

4. Wearable Input Device

A wearable mouse has long been the dream for anyone looking to really immerse themselves in the computing experience. A successful Kickstarter project, the Keyglove, could see that becoming a reality in 2012.

The Keyglove is a wearable, wireless, open source input device that boasts unprecedented flexibility and convenience for all kinds of computer applications.

With exciting potential for gaming, design, art, music, device control and even data entry, the glove-based system's multi-sensor combinations mean it could be programmed to offer one-handed operation of many systems and software.

In addition to the benefits a wearable mouse could offer a traditional computer user, the Keyglove could also be of interest to users of small screens, RSI sufferers or those with physical impairment.

5. Speech Control

Finally, we're taking a look at the most natural way that humans interface -- with our voices.

Speech recognition is rapidly becoming mainstream. The iPhone's "Siri" assistant, Microsoft's Kinect, Google Search and even Windows 8 will all help to make talking to your computer or gadget as commonplace as clicking a mouse.

As voice recognition, artificial intelligence, semantics and natural language technologies continue to improve, we're interested to see how speech will be incorporated into interfaces.

We predict that the press-a-button-and-speak method will become outdated as smart virtual assistants -- which offer an AI-powered, conversational style solution -- emerge.

The mouse, having played its role in the transformation of the personal computer, is now almost outdated. If you think about it, when the mouse was first invented in the 1960s, computers were unrecognizable from the sleek, sophisticated devices we use today.

So has the mouse had its day? Technical innovations are incoming in the next year or so that promise to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds like never before, whether that's controlling your computer with gestures, opening programs with your eyes or extending the menu options for touchscreens with wearable devices.

Take a look through our gallery of interesting innovations in the computing world. This May we'll be exploring the future of tech and many other digital trends at our signature conference, Mashable Connect. See below for all the details.

Event Information

Our annual destination conference, Mashable Connect, brings our community together for three days to connect offline in an intimate setting at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World®. It will take place in Orlando, Florida from Thursday, May 3 – Saturday, May 5. Registration is now open.

Held in a unique location away from everyday distractions, Mashable Connect is a rare and valuable opportunity to be surrounded by digital leaders across industries. You’ll spend time with Mashable’s passionate and influential community, hear from top speakers who will provide insight into the the technologies and trends that are shaping the next era of digital innovation, and get to spend time with the Mashable team.

To keep Mashable Connect as intimate as possible, only a limited amount of tickets are available.

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5. Mashable Connect Dinner

Attendees connect over delicious food.

4. Social TV Panel with HBO and Bravo

Sabrina Caluori (left), director of social media and marketing at HBO, and Lisa Hsia (right), executive vice president at Bravo Digital Media, talk with Mashable reporter Christina Warren about the future of television and social TV.

7. Conversation on Stage

Mashable's associate editor for marketing and media, Lauren Indvik, talks with Greg Clayman, publisher of The Daily. Clayman discussed the iPad-only publication's first few months and its goals for the future.

6. Jump!

Attendees show their excitement at Epcot.

8. Karaoke

The Mashable editorial team shows its true talent on stage during karaoke with a live band.

2. Keynote Speech

1. Mashable Connect Race Powered by Gowalla

Team members check in to a race location at Magic Kingdom during the Mashable Connect Race powered by Gowalla.

9. Speed Networking

Attendees making lots of connections in a short period of time during Speed Connections.

10. "The War Room"

This is where the stories about Mashable Connect were created.

11. David Karp

Founder and CEO of Tumblr talks about the power of identity on the web.

12. Adam Hirsch

Adam Hirsch, Mashable's COO, makes an announcment.

13. Adam Rich

Adam Rich, founder and editor-in-chief of Thrillist, presents talks about how e-mail is the fundamental social medium.

14. Christy Tanner

Christy Tanner, general manager and executive vice president of TV Guide Digital talks about how social media is (and is not) transforming the entertainment business.

15. Josh Williams

Josh Williams, CEO of Gowalla, discusses what brands and consumers can expect for the future of location. He says these apps should be used for crafting the narrative of your life, as defined by the places you go, the people you meet and the photos you capture.

16. Zach Sniderman

Zach Sniderman, Mashable's assistant features editor, introduces speaker Aaron Sherinian, executive director of communications and public affairs for the United Nations Foundation.

17. Aaron Sherinian

Aaron Sherinian, executive director of communications and public affairs for the United Nations Foundation, addresses crowdpushing and why non-profits want your help.

18. Steve Rubel

Steve Rubel, executive vice president of global strategy and insights at Edelman, delivers his presentation, "Authority in the Age of Overload."

19. Sharon Feder

Sharon Feder, Mashable's managing editor, gives a speech.

20. David Jones, Sharon Feder & Adam Ostrow

Keynote speaker David Jones, global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG, hangs out with Mashable's Sharon Feder and Adam Ostrow.

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